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Summary

Quassia amara or commonly known as Bitterwood or Amargo is a small evergreen shrub growing only about 3 m in height. It bears a small drupe, red flowers, and compound, alternate leaves. Though it is mainly cultivated throughout Northern South America as an ornamental tree, it is also valued for its edible and medicinal uses. In particular, bark extracts are used as flavoring in drinks. Medicinally, all plant parts are useful. It restores appetite, stimulates digestion, and treats various conditions such as fever, measles, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, urinary tract disease, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, diabetes, albuminuria, ulcers, smallpox, etc. Propagation can be through seeds and cuttings.

Physical Characteristics

Quassia_amara is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Hummingbirds. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Synonyms

Quassia alatifolia Stokes Quassia officinalis Rich.

Habitats

Edible Uses

The bitter principle found in the bark and wood is used as the basis of Angostura Bitters, which is used as a flavouring in gin-based drinks[307 ]. It is also used as a substitute for hops when brewing beer[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

All parts of the plant contain a bitter principle called quassimarin[307 ]. This has a range of medical properties including antileukaemic, antitumor, astringent, digestive, febrifuge, laxative, tonic and vermifuge[307 ]. Quassimarin has been shown to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, increase the appetite and aid digestion[307 ]. It has been used successfully in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and is also used in the treatment of malaria and fevers[307 , 348 ]. All parts of the plant can be used on their own or in combination to restore the appetite, stimulate digestion and combat fevers, including malaria[348 ]. A tea made from the infused leaves is used to bathe the skin of measles patients[307 ]. It is also used as a mouthwash after tooth extractions[307 ]. A decoction of the bark is used as a blood purifier and to treat malaria, diarrhoea and dysentery[348 ]. A decoction of the inner bark is used to treat colds[348 The stem and bark are used in remedies for treating diseases of the spleen, liver (cirrhosis), and urinary tract[348 ]. The bark is used for treating the weak eyes of alcoholics and, macerated in rum, as a vermifuge[348 ]. Combined with the macerated stem of Tinospora crispa in rum, cognac or absinthe, it is used to make a beverage for treating diabetes and albuminuria[348 ]. A decoction of the wood is used in lotions as a wash for persistent venereal ulcers[348 ]. A decoction of the bark and leaves is used as a wash to rid the skin of external parasites such as agouti lice and as a treatment for measles and smallpox[348 ]. Stem-bark contains the insecticidal compounds neoquassine and quassine[348 ]. Sap shows activity against cells derived from carcinoma of human nasopharynx[348 ]. Plant extracts contain the antileukemic compounds quassimarin and similikalactone[348 ].

Other Uses

Humid shade garden. large container. Accent. Botanic collection. Conservatory. Other Uses: All parts of the plant, but especially the bark and young stems, can be used as an insecticide[307 ]. Crushed leaves, placed on body, reputedly act as a mosquito repellent[348 ].

Cultivation details

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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